The 57 Bus

1. A Prank Gone Horribly Wrong on the 57 Bus

In a moment, Sasha will wake inside a ball of flame and begin to scream.

Ordinary afternoon commute. On November 4, 2013, the 57 bus in Oakland, California, carried a mix of students and commuters home. Sasha, a senior at a private high school, was asleep near the back, wearing a gauzy white skirt. Richard, a 16-year-old junior from Oakland High, was joking with his cousin Lloyd and friend Jamal nearby.

Lighter flicked at skirt. As Sasha slept, Richard, seemingly influenced by Jamal, flicked a lighter near the hem of Sasha's skirt. Richard later claimed it was meant as a harmless prank, like on TV, expecting the fabric to just smolder briefly before Sasha woke up. However, the lightweight skirt ignited instantly.

Chaos and rescue. Sasha woke engulfed in flames, screaming in terror. Passengers panicked and fled, but two men rushed forward, tackling Sasha to the floor and smothering the fire with a coat. Sasha suffered severe second- and third-degree burns, requiring extensive hospitalization and multiple surgeries.

2. Sasha's World: Agender Identity and a Supportive Community

Sasha, like many gender-nonconforming people, wants to be referred to with the pronoun they.

Exploring identity. Sasha, diagnosed with Asperger's as a child, was highly intelligent and passionate about language, math, and imaginary worlds. They began questioning their gender in middle school, eventually identifying as agender—neither male nor female—and preferring the pronoun "they."

Finding acceptance. Sasha attended Maybeck High School, a small private school in Berkeley known for its acceptance of unconventional students. At Maybeck, Sasha felt comfortable exploring their identity, including wearing skirts, which they found comfortable and a way to express themselves.

• Maybeck had other gender-nonconforming students.
• Friends and teachers were generally supportive, making an effort to use correct pronouns.
• Sasha's parents, Debbie and Karl, were also supportive, though sometimes struggled with understanding and worried about Sasha's safety.

Visibility and vulnerability. While Maybeck was a safe haven, wearing skirts made Sasha conspicuous outside of school, particularly on public transit like the 57 bus. This visibility, while affirming for Sasha, also made them a potential target in a world less accepting than their school community.

3. Richard's Reality: Life in East Oakland and a Troubled Path

But life had a way of sticking its foot out, sending you sprawling.

Challenging environment. Richard grew up in East Oakland, a part of the city marked by high rates of poverty, violence, and crime. Despite being one of the most diverse cities, Oakland also had stark income inequality, with Richard's neighborhood facing significant disadvantages compared to wealthier areas.

Difficult background. Richard's young mother, Jasmine, worked hard but struggled financially. His father was often in and out of prison. Richard experienced personal loss and trauma, including the murder of his aunt and later, his best friend, Skeet.

• Richard had a previous juvenile arrest for fighting.
• He spent a year in a group home in Redding as a result.
• He struggled with school attendance and grades.

Seeking a better path. Despite his challenges, Richard was described as a good kid—goofy, loyal, and kind to those he cared about. He sought out positive influences, like his attendance officer Kaprice Wilson, asking to join her program to help him stay on track and graduate. He expressed a desire to make his mother proud and avoid the pitfalls that affected his friends and family.

4. The Incident: Peer Pressure and a Moment of Recklessness

“You might as well do it,” he said again.

Joking around. Richard, his cousin Lloyd, and friend Jamal boarded the 57 bus together. They were being loud and playful, typical adolescent behavior. They noticed Sasha, who was asleep and wearing a skirt.

Influence and action. Jamal pointed out Sasha and whispered something to Richard, then took out his phone, seemingly to record. Lloyd was distracted, trying to flirt with girls. Jamal urged Richard to use the lighter. Richard flicked it several times before the skirt caught fire.

• Richard later claimed it was a prank and he didn't intend serious harm.
• He thought the fabric would just smolder.
• Jamal's urging ("You might as well do it") played a role.

Immediate aftermath. As Sasha screamed and the skirt burned, Richard and Lloyd quickly exited the bus. However, Richard immediately returned to watch the scene unfold from the sidewalk before leaving again with Lloyd and Jamal. This moment of recklessness, fueled by peer presence and a desire for a "laugh," had devastating consequences.

5. Charged as an Adult: The Harsh Reality of the Justice System

Citing the severity of the crime, the district attorney will charge him as an adult, stripping him of the protections normally given to juveniles.

Swift arrest and charges. Richard was arrested the day after the fire. Due to the severity of Sasha's injuries, the Alameda County District Attorney, Nancy O'Malley, decided to charge Richard as an adult, bypassing the juvenile court system.

Serious felonies and hate crime. Richard faced two felony charges: aggravated mayhem and assault with intent to cause great bodily injury. Crucially, each charge included a hate-crime enhancement, alleging the crime was motivated by bias against Sasha's gender identity or expression.

• Charging as an adult meant Richard's name was released to the public.
• He lost the privacy and focus on rehabilitation typically afforded in juvenile court.
• If convicted as charged, he faced a potential sentence of life in state prison.

Immediate impact. The decision to charge Richard as an adult immediately placed him in a much more severe legal situation than if he had remained in the juvenile system. It highlighted the punitive nature of adult court compared to the rehabilitative goals of juvenile justice, especially for young offenders.

6. Hate Crime or Adolescent Folly? Debating Intent and Identity

“I’m homophobic,” Richard said at last. “I don’t like gay people.”

Police interview. During his interrogation, after initially denying involvement and then being shown video evidence, Richard admitted to flicking the lighter. When pressed for a motive, he stated, "I'm homophobic. I don't like gay people."

Contested motive. This statement became central to the prosecution's hate crime charge, but Richard's family and lawyer argued it didn't reflect his true character or the nature of the act. They suggested he was confused, trying to give the police an answer, or influenced by the officers' questioning.

• Richard had gay friends and family members.
• His lawyer argued he didn't even understand the term "homophobic."
• The defense characterized the act as a stupid prank, not premeditated hate.

Legal definition vs. adolescent behavior. The case raised questions about whether Richard's actions fit the legal definition of a hate crime or were a manifestation of adolescent impulsivity, peer influence, and perhaps an unthinking discomfort with difference, rather than deep-seated bigotry. The media often focused on the "homophobic" quote, framing the incident as a clear-cut hate crime.

7. The Justice System: Juvenile vs. Adult and Racial Disparities

The super-predator apocalypse was a myth.

Shift to adult court. Richard's case highlighted the consequences of laws like California's Proposition 21, passed in 2000, which allowed prosecutors to "direct file" certain juvenile cases into adult court without a judge's review. These laws were enacted during a period of fear about rising juvenile crime, fueled by the now-debunked "super-predator" theory.

Juveniles are different. Advocates argued that adolescents are fundamentally different from adults, citing brain development research showing teenagers are more impulsive, susceptible to peer pressure, and less capable of long-term thinking, especially under stress.

• The US Supreme Court had placed limits on harsh sentences (death penalty, LWOP) for juveniles, recognizing their capacity for change.
• Transferring juveniles to adult court often leads to harsher sentences and higher recidivism rates.

Racial disparities. The application of direct file laws has shown significant racial bias. Studies found that black and Latino youths in California were much more likely to be charged as adults than white youths for similar crimes, and more likely to receive state prison sentences. Richard, as a young Black male from East Oakland, fit the demographic disproportionately affected by these policies.

8. Community Response: Outrage, Support, and Division

We’re against hate and bullying,” basketball coach Orlando Watkins said when the team gathered in the locker room before the game, wearing their No H8 jerseys.

Shock and solidarity. The incident sparked widespread outrage and an outpouring of support for Sasha, particularly from the LGBTQ+ community and Sasha's school, Maybeck. Maybeck students organized events like "Skirts for Sasha" day and a march along the bus route.

Oakland High's response. Richard's school, Oakland High, also condemned the act and organized a "No H8" campaign, emphasizing that Richard's actions did not represent the school's values.

• Students and staff created banners and posters.
• The basketball team wore "No H8" jerseys.
• They raised money for Sasha's medical bills.

Conflicting perspectives. While many focused on supporting Sasha and condemning hate, Richard's friends and some community members felt his story and the complexities of his background were being overlooked. They saw him as a kid who made a terrible mistake, not a monster, and felt the media and public judgment were unfair, especially given his age and environment.

9. Families Grapple with Tragedy and Seek Understanding

“I don’t know what to say but sorry.”

Jasmine's anguish. Richard's mother, Jasmine, was devastated by what happened. She was shocked, ashamed, and heartbroken for Sasha and their family, while also fiercely protective of her son. She struggled to understand how he could have done such a thing and worried desperately about his future.

Debbie and Karl's pain and perspective. Sasha's parents, Debbie and Karl, were focused on Sasha's recovery but also grappled with the legal process and Richard's fate. Initially, they were consumed by the trauma but later expressed a desire for Richard to be treated as a juvenile, believing in his potential for rehabilitation.

• They were open to the idea of forgiveness.
• They didn't feel they had enough information to judge Richard fully.
• They worried about the impact of adult prison on a teenager.

A courthouse encounter. The two families had an emotional, unplanned meeting at the courthouse. Jasmine tearfully apologized to Sasha and their parents, and Richard's relatives hugged Sasha's family. This moment highlighted the shared human element of the tragedy, transcending the legal binaries of victim and offender.

10. Restorative Justice: An Alternative Path Explored

RJ isn’t a guarantee of leniency,” Baliga cautioned. “It’s about dispensing with punitiveness for its own sake and trying to produce an outcome that will be more healing for everyone involved.”

Seeking healing over punishment. Community advocates, including those from the Ella Baker Center and restorative justice experts, saw the potential for a different approach in this case, given the families' apparent openness. Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime and bringing together those affected to find a path forward.

Process and potential. Restorative justice often involves facilitated circles where victims and offenders can meet, share their experiences, and agree on steps the offender can take to make amends.

• It aims for healing for the victim and accountability and learning for the offender.
• Studies suggest it can reduce recidivism more effectively than traditional punishment.
• In juvenile cases, it can sometimes be used as an alternative to court (diversion).

Limitations in this case. Despite interest from advocates and some openness from the families, restorative justice did not ultimately divert Richard's case from adult court. The district attorney maintained that the severity of the crime required incarceration, limiting RJ's role to potentially facilitating dialogue rather than altering the sentence length.

11. Life After the Fire: Recovery, Incarceration, and Moving Forward

Apart from some scars, I’m all healed, basically,” Sasha said.

Sasha's recovery and future. Sasha underwent multiple surgeries and spent weeks in the burn unit, followed by months of physical recovery, including wearing compression garments. Despite the trauma, Sasha was resilient, focusing on healing and returning to school. They were accepted into MIT and moved across the country, finding a new community and putting the incident behind them.

Richard's legal outcome. After months of delays and negotiations, Richard accepted a plea deal. The initial offer of five years in juvenile facilities was changed at the last minute to seven years in state prison, with the possibility of reduction back to five years if he had good behavior reports before turning eighteen. This meant his fate hinged on his conduct while incarcerated.

Incarceration and reflection. Richard spent time in Juvenile Hall and was later transferred to N. A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility (Chad), a state facility for young men. He engaged in educational and rehabilitative programs, reflecting on his actions and expressing remorse in letters to Sasha (which were delayed in reaching them). His incarceration became a period of structured living, contrasting sharply with the chaotic environment he came from, raising questions about whether the system would rehabilitate or further institutionalize him.

Last updated: May 4, 2025